Resident ambassadors and the benefits they bring

When you consider the role of a care home, the first things that come to mind are likely to be what care home team members can do for residents and the dedication and compassion that they show. Providing a high quality service must undoubtedly be the central concern of care homes, but it is also interesting to consider the ways in which residents too can have an active role in the life of the home and ensure it is run successfully.

As well as what care homes can do for residents, it is important to recognise what residents can do for care homes. Encouraging resident ambassadors can have profound benefits both for the care home itself and for the individual ambassador. Team members are given an insight into the lives of residents, while gaining a helpful source of feedback. People seeking to move to a care home can talk to ambassadors and learn more about their future home. Ambassadors can also gain a deep sense of fulfilment from their involvement and the help they provide to others. 

The existence of resident ambassadors is therefore something that should be promoted for the widespread personal benefits that such a role brings as well as for the enhanced wellbeing that fellow residents and team members enjoy as a result.